Chapter 30
Germany seeks to force U.S. to enter WWI Zimmermann note, submarine warfare Midwest still opposes war Wilson Make the world safe for democracy Rallies country behind altruistic appeals
1. Abolish secret treaties 2. Freedom of the seas 3. Removal of economic barriers 4. Reduction of military 5. Self determination for colonies 6. League of Nations
George Creel (journalist) Tasked with gaining popular support Four minute men Propaganda Anti German Oversold Wilson s ideals
Germans singled out & persecuted Names changed, classes cancelled, people beat, etc. Espionage Act & Sedition Act (1917 18) Similar to post revolution Sedition Act Socialist Eugene V. Debs imprisoned Schenck v. U.S. (1919) Freedom of speech can be suspended if speech represents a clear & present danger
America had little military Country needed economic mobilization as well States rights advocates disapprove of gov t involvement Work or fight Reduced labor unrest (except for IWW) Steel strike of 1919 (largest in history) African Americans replace workers Race riots break out (worst in Chicago)
Women entered workforce in large numbers Split women s rights movement Progressives = pacifists, NAWSA = war supporters Believed winning war would promote movement 1917 NY grants women s suffrage 1920 19 th amendment = universal suffrage
Herbert Hoover leads charitable drive to feed allies Massive propaganda campaign Victory Gardens Grow own food self sufficient Rationing increases prohibition push 1918 18 th amendment (prohibition) Liberty bonds raise over $21 billion Most done by volunteer Gov t seized railroads in 1917
European losses cause U.S. to raise army Congress institutes draft Raises over 4 million troops Blacks serve in segregated units Many troops do not receive training
Russia signs armistice 1917 Germany focuses on France U.S. troops arrive 1 year after war is declared Participated all over Europe
U.S. troops help allies weather German push on Western Front Regroup and push Germans back Americans participate in largest battles in U.S. history Germany withers until Allied assault
Germany turns to U.S. hoping to agree to 14 points instead of European demands Wilson demands Kaiser s removal Prospect of U.S. troops demoralized Germany U.S. main contributions were food & supplies Not the arsenal of democracy
Wilson hurt by Republican victories in 1918 Only statesmen not to have majority support Went to Paris w/o a Republican in delegation Infuriated Republicans
Big Four (U.S., UK, France, & Italy) determine treaty Wilson s main goal was League of Nations Forced to compromise Granted veiled imperialism to European powers
Republican senators declare that U.S. would not ratify League of Nations Hurt Wilson s bargaining power in Paris Wilson opposed giving land to European countries (anti imperialism) Favored self determination
Germany hoped for leniency based on 14 points Treaty focused on vengeance Wilson forced to compromise to save League of Nations Hoped League would handle future problems
U.S. wanted no part of League Favored isolation (Washington) Treaty = too harsh or not harsh enough?
Senator Lodge delays treaty in Senate Senate, not President, signs treaties Wilson goes on publicity tour promoting treaty Mixed reviews Wilson collapses, rushed to Washington, has a stroke, is left paralyzed
Lodge submits rebuttal to treaty Refuses to enter League of Nations Wilson asks Democrat to vote against treaty w/ Lodge s additions Treaty is rejected Voted on 2 nd time (again Wilson asks Democrats to vote no Rejected 2 nd time U.S. fails to ratify and refuses to sign Treaty of Versailles
Wilson called for 1920 election to be a voter mandate of support for League R Warren Harding, D James Cox Harding refused to take a stand on League Proposed return to normalcy
U.S. refusal to join League limits its power